Indicator.



G. BROWN.

INDICATOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 18, 1907.

902,554. PatentedNov. 3, 1908.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

W] T N EJSEJ fA/VEA/TOR 2 ,9, wig

G. BROWN.

INDICATOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 18, 1907.

902,554. Patented Nov. 3, 1908.

2 BHBETBBHEET 2. F1 1 13 illlllllil 1 WITNESSES. [/1/ VEA/TOR 1n: nomzls PETERS co., WASHINGTON, n. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE BROWN, OF SARNIA, ONTARIO, CANADA, ASSIGNOR TO BROWN AUTOMATIC INDICATOR COMPANY, OF PORT HURON, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHI- GAN.

INDICATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 3, 1908.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE BROWN, a sub ject of the King of Great Britain and Ireland, residing at Sarnia, in the Province of Ontario and Dominion of Canada, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Indicators, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

The invention relates to signaling apparatus, more particularly designed for use on boats and for communication between the pilot and the engineer.

My invention consists in certain novel features of construction as hereinafter set forth.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a diagram of the instrument and its electrical connections; Fig. 2 is a front. elevation of the signaling instrument with the dial thereof removed; and Fig. 3 is a cross section.

The apparatus comprises a single transmitter and an indicator, together with suitable electrical connections between the two. The signals transmitted are those usually employed by marine pilots, comprising one series for forward movement at different speeds and a second series for different speeds of movement in the reverse direction. On the indicating instrument, the neutral position, which indicates that the engine has been stopped, is preferably arranged. at the center and. the top of the oial, corresponding to the position of 12 on a clock dial, while the several speeds forward and reverse are indicated at different points about the dial on opposite sides respectively of this neutral point.

My improvements are applicable to either a single or a double signal system, but a single system is illustrated and described in which the transmitter is automatically operated by connections to the controlling levers for the engine, and the indicator is located in view of the pilot. Thus the pilot may be assured that the signals which he has given the engineer by any suitable signaling means (not shown) have been understood and exeouted.

A is the transmitting instrument comprising a traveling contact member B and a member C carrying a double series of electric contacts D and E. The member B is connected by a link F with one of the controlling levers of the engine, as, for instance, the throttle lever, while the member O is connected for movement by the other controlling lever of the engine, such as the reversing lever. The arrangement is such that the'operation of the reversing lever will shift the member C so as to alternatively aline the se ries of contacts D and E with the traveling member B while the latter is moved by the shifting of the throttle lever into registration with the different contacts of the series.

The signal instrument G, as above stated, comprises a dial having the neutral or stopping point indicated at the center of the top and the various. speeds, forward and reverse, at spaced points upon opposite sides of the center. The indication is effected by the movement of an index hand II, and this is operated by mechanism of the following construction: I is a rotary shaft connected by a suitable gear train J to the arbor H of the index hand II. K is a wheel driven by the train J, upon which is mounted a pair of insulated segmental contact members L and L. N and N indicate two series of brushes or contacts for forming electrical connections with the segmental contact members L and L in different positions of adjustment of the latter. The arrangement is such that a movement of the wheel K in one direction will cause one of the segments, such as L, to progressively contact with the brushes, the other segment L being withdrawn. from contact therewith, while a movement of the member K in the opposite direction will cause the segment L to progressively contact with the series and the segment L to be withdrawn from contact. Between the adjacent ends of the segments L and L is a space which, when in registration with any one of the contacts of the series N and N, will break connection between the said contact and both of the segments.

The arrangement of the electrical connections, above described, is for the purpose of controlling the operation of an electric motor used for driving the shaft I and, through the medium of the train J, the index H and the wheel K. The motor is so constructed that rotary movement may be imparted to the shaft in either direction, this being deter mined by the manner in which the motor circuit is completed. Thus, for driving the motor in one direction, the circuit may be completed through any one of the contacts of the series N, while the driving of the motor in the reverse direction can be effected only by completing its circuit through any one of the contacts of the series N. Such an etl'ect could be produced in a single reversible motor oi suitable construction, but, for simplicity, in the illustration I have shown two independent -motors having the armatures upon the same shaft T, and connected to run in opposite directions when their respective circuits are completed.

As shown, the motor 0 has one of its leads in permanent connection with the segment L, as by means of a brush P, while the motor 0 is connected by a brush P with the segment L. The-several contacts of the series N are respectively connected by conductors Q to the series oi contacts D of the transmitter, and in like manner the series of contacts N are connected with the series of contacts E of the transmitter by conductors Q. The traveling contact member B of the transmitter is connected with the return circuit R, in which the battery S, or other generator, is located, and beyond the battery the circuit is branched at T and T to lead to the respective motors O and O.

With the connections as above given, it will be understood that when the traveling contact member B registers with any one of the contacts on the member C an electric cir cuit will be completed through the said contact and its connecting conductor to tile corresponding contact in the indicating instrument, and through one or the other oi the segments L and L and motors O and 0. Thus one of the motors will be set in operation so as to drive the shaft 1 and the gear train J, this in turn causing the rotation of the wheel K and the movement of the segments L and L in relation to the contacts N and X. The direction of movement is always such as to cause the space U, between the segments L and L, to approach the contact through which the motor circuit is completed. As a consequence, the motor will run continuously until the said contact registers with the space U, whereupon the circuit will be broken. T iis will move the index hand H into proximity to the particular indication oi the dial corresponding to the contact through which the circuit was closed. in whatever position the indicator may be standing, all of the contacts on one side of the contact, corresponding to the indication, will be in connection with one of the segments, while all of the contacts on the other side thereof will be in connection with the other segment. As a consequence, the completion of the circuit subsequently through any other one oi the contacts will cause a movement, and the direction of movement will be determined by the position of this contact relative to the contact through which the circuit was previously closed.

From the description above given, it will be understood that any shitting oi the movable contact member in the transmission instrument will etlect a corresponding change of indication in the receiving instrument. This indication will be absolutely correct, as the motor will continue to run until the space U between the segments L and L is registered to cut out the circuit. In case the momentum of the parts should carry the seg ments and indicator on after the breaking oi the circuits, this will cause the operation of the reverse motor, which will immediately restore the parts to the correct position.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. The combination with an electric motor, ol' a series of contacts and a cooperating contact movable relatively thereto when the motor is in operation, and means for establishing the motor circuit through said cooperating contact and a selected contact of the series and maintaining the circuit therethrough until said selected contact is passed.

2. The combination with an electric moi or, 01" a series of contacts and a cooperating contact movable relative to the series when the motor is in operation, means for establishing the motor circuit through said cooperating contact and a selected contact of the series and maintaining it until said selected contact is passed, and means for checking the further movement due to inertia.

The combination with an electric motor. of a series of contacts and a cooperating contact movable relative to the series when the motor is in operation, means for establishing the motor circuit through. said cooperating contact and a selected contact of the series and maintaining it until said selected con tact is passed, and means operating upon an over movement due to inertia for reversing the motor.

4. The combination with a motor, of a series of contacts and a cooperating contact movable relative thereto when the motor is in operation, means for establishing the motor circuit through said cooperating contact and a selected contact of the series and for maintaining it until said selected contact passed, and means operating upon an over movement for reversing the motor and for cutting it out again before said cooperating contact is returned to said selected contact.

5. The combination with a reversible electric motor, of a series of contacts, a pair of co operating contacts movable relatively therel leted portion and in another direction when to when the motor is in operation, sa d co l the selected contact is on the other side of the operating contacts having an insulated porinsulated port on.

tion intermediate tneirends, and means for In testimony whereof I zrIliX my signature 5 estebhshnig and nnnnteining; the motor cirl in presence of two witnesses.

edit through it selected contact of the series 1, I GEORCE BPOUVY and one or the other of said cooperating con- I x l l tz'tOtS to drive the motor, whereby the motor will be driven. in one direction when the 10 selected contact is on one side of the insu- Witnesses N. A. HARCOTTE, SAM Z. PEPPER. 

